The Sexiest Restaurants in San Francisco

Okay, so it’s like early January, and that means if you want to have reservations for anywhere on Valentine’s Day in San Francisco, you pretty much need to book your spots now. Even so, I’m always on the lookout for really sexy places to go on dates, and I know many locals have their favorite picks… so here are my top five sexy date restaurants. I’m hoping that by showing you mine, you’ll show me yours. Tell me if you agree, disagree, where I need to take my next date — go for it in the comments!

My top sexy date restaurants in SF, right now:

5. Absinthe. Upscale French brasserie in Hayes Valley with an atmosphere evocative of an old New Orleans (or Parisian) Absinthe bar: low-lit, sumptuous colors, very intimate booth seating, and large windows to make you feel like you’re in some kind of European sexy film noir. An impeccable oyster selection, decadent house-invented cocktails and those french fries….

4. Ajanta. Okay, this one’s in the east bay — Berkeley, actually — but the Indian food there is honestly a sexual religious experience for your palate, the seating is intimate, and the walls are covered with highly suggestive erotic paintings — in case the food wasn’t enough to heat you up from the inside.

3. Millennium. Vegan food with so many flavors, exquisite textures and subtleties it’s a turn-on, not to mention they know their aphrodisiacs — they have drinks (and non-alcoholic ones) with names like “Love Potion #10″… and there’s a hotel upstairs. Gimme that vegan lovin’ baby!

2. Tsunami. Chic, eloquent atmosphere, cozy tables and low intimate seating on the sides, plus the best sushi in town — not cheap, but gorgeous presentation and very sexy food, at that. Many delicious inebriants — read: huge sake selection — to tempt and seduce the palate (and your seatmate).

1. El Mansour. Moroccan food in the Richmond, in a style that makes you feel like you’re dining in a sultan’s harem. The experience begins with a ritual handwashing in the dining area, which is decorated in outrageous Moroccan style — low-lit, colorful, low inlaid tables… Everything from food to tea is served in beautiful settings, the food is incredible, the tea is poured from really high, and there are no utensils. Bellydancers sometimes wiggle through during meal times. Spendy, but what an experience. (Image of El Mansour via Flickr)